The Newton Aycliffe community has rallied round to make sure a high-profile pre-season football match goes smoothly tonight.
Ebac Northern League first division club Newton Aycliffe are set to welcome a Sunderland XI to their Moore Lane Park ground this evening (7.30pm), with another record crowd expected.
And the Newtonians are hoping for another record gate after working with local police and council officials to ensure everything goes to plan.
Aycliffe Town Council have made provisions to create extra free parking on a field adjacent to their ground, while about a dozen Durham Constabulary officers from Aycliffe’s Neighbourhood Policing team will be in attendance, at no charge to the club.
“It’s a tremendous all-round community effort,” said the club’s media manager Martin Walker, who organised the game.
“Councillors and officials from Aycliffe Council have been brilliant. They, like us, recognise that a big game like this causes major parking problems, which is why they’ve been so accommodating in allowing for extra parking on Moore Lane field adjacent to our ground.
“The police have also been extremely helpful. They’ll just be on hand for peace of mind more than anything, but their presence is reassuring, and the fact they’re prepared to do it without charge shows what a great community spirit we have in Newton Aycliffe.”
Aycliffe Town Council leader Bob Fleming told Aycliffe Today: “It’s fantastic that we have a club in the Northern League doing so well, getting great crowds and attracting such a huge name liked Sunderland FC to the town, and we welcome the recent success of the club.
“There has been increased parking has caused problems for nearby residents, and we’re looking forward to working with the football club and Aycliffe Sports Club, the landowners, to hopefully solve the long-term parking issues.”
Aycliffe NPT Sergeant Mark Edwards said: “This is a big community event for the town and we know the football club is a big passion for a lot of people in Aycliffe, so we’re happy to assist in any way we can.”
Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson, who is Newton Aycliffe FC’s president, says the fixture shows how far the club has progressed in recent years.
He said: “The thought of us welcoming a Premier League club to our ground was unthinkable just two or three years ago – it just shows the progress the club has made in recent years, and it promises to be a fantastic occasion for the town.”
Northern League chairman Mike Amos added: “League gates have increased for the past seven seasons and will certainly do so again in 2012-13. Part of the reason for that is that when spectators come once they start to realise how high the standard, how friendly the atmosphere and how value-for-money the package.
“These pre-season matches have the same effect. I don’t suggest that people stop following their favourite Premiership team, but when they aren’t at home, there’s always a very attractive alternative nearby.”
● Aycliffe’s game against a Sunderland XI tonight kicks off at 7.30pm, with admission £5 adults and £3 concessions. Fans are strongly urged to arrive in plenty of time to avoid lengthy queues.